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How to Pick the Right Big and Tall Office Chair

This entry was posted on December 9, 2011 by Chelsea.

Ever heard the saying one size fits all? While this may be true for some articles of clothing or perhaps a piece of jewelry, the same can not be said for office chairs. With people varying in shape and size, not all office chairs can accommodate every individual's needs, calling for the need for speciality chairs. The truth is most office chairs are designed for individuals that weigh less than 250 pounds and that are between the heights of 5'4"-5"10. But what about everyone else? Well luckily, if you happen to be a little bit bigger or taller than what is considered to be average, there are chairs designed just for you, big and tall office chairs.

Why should you get a big and tall office chair?
If you have ever worked in an office before, you probably have come to find that everyone sits in the same exact office chair. You may have also noticed that bigger or heavier people often have a difficult time sitting with correct posture. This is due to the fact that these individuals are not suited for a standard office chair. For someone that is taller, the wrong seat size can lead to many problems including not getting enough support for their thighs and having to shift around awkwardly to try to sit in a comfortable position. Even sitting all the way back in their chair, taller users can have their legs extended out much farther than everyone else's. This leads to sitting with improper posture which eventually will lead to back pain and aches.

For heavier users, they may find components of their chair breaking off or wearing down much quicker than other users. This is because, as aforementioned, most chairs are only designed to hold up to 250 pounds therefor their parts are only designed and created for this weight capacity. Failed cylinders, which cause the seat height to longer be adjustable, are among the most common problems experienced with a chair that has a weight capacity less than its user along with broken armrests and chair wheels. Understandably, this can become a safety hazard and quite possibly, a legal issue.

eCentric

Necessary Adjustments
In order to pick the right big and tall office chair for you, it is important to look for certain adjustable features on your new potential office chair prior to purchasing. The first feature to look for is a seat slider, which allows the user to adjust the depth of the seat by pulling the seat out and adjusting its length. This is especially important for those that are taller and need that extra seat coverage to fully support their thighs.

Another important adjustment to consider is the cylinder, which allows for the chair to be adjusted up and down. A chair with a standard size cylinder may not be adequate for those that are taller and need that extra height to sit with their knees at a 90 degree angle and feet placed firmly on the floor. Specialty big and tall chairs sometimes come with varying cylinder heights to accommodate the needs of taller individuals. One manufacturer in particular that offers different cylinder heights as an option with their chairs is ErgoCentric.

Taller

Measurements to Consider
Before purchasing a big and tall chair there are certain measurements that should be taken into consideration before making the purchase. The first measurement that should be looked at is the depth of the seat. Most standard size seats are around 19" deep; if you are taller you will want to try to find a seat that can be adjusted to at least 21" with a seat slider to ensure you fit comfortably while sitting. Another measurement to consider is the seat height of the chair. Leg strain and stiffness can occur if your legs are bent an unnatural angle from sitting on a chair that is too short. Lastly, the height of the chair's back is another crucial measurement. A chair with a small back rest will not provide the support necessary for a taller individual and may lead to unnecessary back, shoulder, and neck pain.

Discount

Cost
A common concern for most, understandably, is the cost of the product. Unfortunately, big and tall chairs can cost a pretty penny, with most costing somewhere in the range of $300-$600, with some costing even more than that. The reason for this high price is the quality of materials used to construct the chair to ensure that it can hold higher capacities while providing the user comfort and support. While it may seem like quite the investment, if you spend long hours a day sitting at work, the added comfort you will receive will improve your productivity and make for a more enjoyable work environment.

Whether you are looking to purchase a big and tall chair for your personal home office or looking to meet the needs of several of your employees, consider the above recommendations when looking to find the right big and tall office chair to meet your needs or the needs of others.